waltz

no dancing happened in the ballroom,

but music always played.

The ballroom was too big.

a lone piano

and cloth-covered couches

protected from the residents within.

but that’s where we lived.

we glid across the fire floors,

beauty, but blinding

in the wide west windows.

sliding happened in the ballroom

in well-worn socks and on clean cloths.

falling happened in the ballroom

in sibling squabbles and

slipping on soapy water.

singing happened in the ballroom

metal chairs and projectors framing the stars,

the stars on the second floor.

transforming, learning happened in the ballroom.

from white walls and pictures hanging

to Santa’s workshop in November.

no dancing happened in the ballroom,

but the ballroom was always alive.